How S’pore law firms are making a difference with pro bono services and charity-related legal advice
In a legal landscape often defined by commercial success and courtroom victories, Singapore law firms are also making an impact in the community for their pro bono services and charity-related legal advice. Here is a look at how some of these top-ranked firms are giving back.
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Adsan Law’s team, led by CEO Susan Peh, believes that law should be a service to the community.
PHOTO: ADSAN LAW
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Adsan Law
The firm actively assists charities with governance, compliance, and creative legal strategies, with its lawyers regularly conducting workshops and legal talks.
In May, Adsan hosted a conference bringing together legal professionals, corporate leaders and sustainability advocates to explore how legal frameworks can support environmental goals. It was organised in conjunction with national environmental movement Go Green SG and SG60 to mark Singapore’s 60th year of independence.
“Our recognition in this space is a deeply humbling affirmation of our belief that law is, at its heart, a service to the community,” said Adsan Law chief executive officer Susan Peh.
In 2025, the firm was conferred the Company of Good (COG) – Two Hearts recognition in a national initiative spearheaded by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). The initiative recognises numerous organisations in various sectors that integrate corporate purpose with community impact.
Rajah & Tann Singapore (R&T)
The firm received the second-highest number of recommendations in the pro bono and charity categories and remains the only law firm to be conferred the Champion of Good title for the 2024-2027 period – the highest accolade under the COG recognition system initiated by NVPC.
Central to the law firm’s efforts is the Rajah & Tann Foundation, which was established in 2011 as Singapore’s first law firm charity. The foundation coordinates the firm’s pro bono activities, which span both legal and non-legal services.
“To ensure our initiatives are well-resourced and strategically guided, we have dedicated teams comprising equity partners, a business services director, a support lead and an accountant,” said the foundation’s chairperson, Ms Rebecca Chew.
R&T is also an anchor firm for community legal clinics organised by Pro Bono SG, a non-profit that coordinates pro bono efforts across Singapore’s legal sector.
Allen & Gledhill (A&G)
The firm has institutionalised its commitment to social impact through three initiatives: A&G in the Community, A&G for Climate Change, and A&G on Campus. It said these programmes formalise the firm’s aim of giving back, supporting environmental sustainability, and nurturing future legal talent.
“At Allen & Gledhill, we recognise that the privilege of legal expertise comes with a profound responsibility to serve and uplift the society in which we operate,” said managing partner Jerry Koh. “Our initiatives reflect this ethos and amplify our impact.”
Every A&G lawyer commits at least 24 hours annually to pro bono work, community service or volunteering. Since 2022, the firm has logged over 28,000 such hours.
In October 2022, A&G also pledged $1 million to NUS Law and SMU’s Yong Pung How School of Law to support scholarships, academic awards, mooting competitions, and career workshops.
WongPartnership
The firm encourages lawyers to engage in pro bono work and provides ongoing in-house training to enhance understanding of the criminal justice system.
“Our mentorship pairs younger lawyers with senior members to ensure strong guidance and oversight,” said managing partner Chou Sean Yu. “We are committed to giving back through various initiatives, including representation under CLAS and support for individuals in civil matters under the Legal Aid Bureau’s schemes.”
CLAS refers to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
One contribution was the establishment in 2022 of Singapore’s first legal clinic in a mosque by lawyers in WongPartnership. The clinic, at Angullia Mosque in Little India, provides migrant workers with access to free legal consultations.
To date, the legal clinic at the mosque has handled over 350 cases. The initiative, developed under the Law Society’s Pro Bono Services group, is part of WongPartnership’s commitment to reaching underserved communities, said the firm.
